Agenda - Council - 06/28/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Al)OPTION OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE TOWN CENTER ZONING DISTRICT REGARDING DRIVEWWAY LENGTHS AND FRONT YARD SETBACKS By: Patrick Trudgeon, AICP, Community Development Director Background: As the Ramsey Town Center continues to develop, the City has begun to receive several proposed residential subdivisions within the development. Overall, the Ramsey Town Center is expected to contain about 2,400 housing units. In reviewing sketch plans for several proposed Town Center residential developments, the Planning Commission has raised concerns that some of the plans will not meet the expectations of density envisioned fbr the entire Ramsey Town Center. In reviewing strategies to ensure the project meets density expectations; Staff determined thc biggest fhctors determining density were driveway length and the provision of public roads throughout the development. Given the need for an efficient traffic network system and public safeiy needs, Staff is reluctant to reduce the provision of public roads through thc Town Center. However, Staff believes that a lesser driveway length in the Town Center may be warranted. In taking a look at some of the sketch plans, it appears that allowing driveways of 20 feet will allow for up to a 20% increase in units. Stat].' is proposing language to the Town Center Zoning District to change the .minimum driveway length to 20 feet. The Town Center Zoning District already allows for driveways o[' 20 feet in length for certain types of units. (i.e. row house units with a garage in the rear of the building). This amendment allow the driveways of 20 feet in length for all residential units within the Town Center. The amendment would also have a maxim um driveway length of 25 feet within the Town Center. Given the proposed amendment to the driveway length, Staff has also found it necessary to make a change to the front yard setback requirements in'the TC-4 Zoning District. Currently, code has a 0-20 foot front yard setback, with allowances for up to a 30-foot setback in certain instances. Staff would like to clean up code to make the language more clearer. Staff is proposing to change the front yard setback to 0-25 feet across the board, with the setback being measured from the front building edge to either the sidewalk, edge ot" thc right-of:way, or the back' of curb, whichever is appropriate. The ~bllowing items are enclosed: Draft City Council Meeting Minutes dated June 14, 2005 Proposed Town Center Zoning Distric;t amendment Notitication: A public hearing on these amendments was properly notified in accordance with state statutes. No public comments have been received. -381-